The recent economic crisis and global recession raise unique and challenging issues for businesses and their lawyers. Our distinguished panel of practitioners in the field will share stories and discuss some of the issues facing businesses in today’s financial climate. This event provides an opportunity for students to learn about the panelists, their experiences in business law, and the various ways that business lawyers add value in an economic downturn.

Speakers include:

The Honorable Duncan Keir, Chief Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court District of Maryland. Judge Keir served from 1999 to 2002 as the circuit governor for the Fourth Circuit on the Board of Governors of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. Previously, Judge Keir was a partner in Miles & Stockbridge in Maryland.

Denise Clayton, General Counsel, Nextlink Wireless, Inc. Ms. Clayton has over 18 years of legal experience in the area of communications. Her legal experience ranges from working with the Public Utilities Commission for the State of Ohio for over four years to five years of groundbreaking telecommunications and public utilities work with one of the leading law firms in Columbus, Ohio. She has been with Nextlink since 1997 in a variety of leadership positions within the Legal Department.

James J. Hanks, Jr., Partner, Venable, LLP. In the past three years, Mr. Hanks has served as Maryland corporate counsel to Capital Automotive, Arden Realty, Town and Country Trust, Bedford Properties, MeriStar Hospitality, Prentiss Properties, Pan Pacific, Reckson and, most recently, Equity Office Properties, Innkeepers USA Trust and Eagle Hospitality in their mergers, as well as to General Growth Properties, 3M and Huntington Bancshares in acquisitions by them. He regularly serves as independent counsel to the boards of directors and board committees of major U.S. corporations and also advises foreign governments on revision of their corporate and securities laws.

Kevyn Orr, Partner, Jones Day. Mr. Orr has practiced in the areas of business restructuring, financial institution regulation, and commercial litigation since 1984. He has also has served as both the chief government legal officer of a failed financial institution and a special master to oversee the operations of a real estate development firm. Mr. Orr has assisted clients with government RFPs and inspector general audits.

Sponsored by the School of Law's Business Law Program and the Business Law Society.